Chicago Hits 40 Homicides After Bloody Weekend

Over the weekend seven people were killed and six wounded, by gunmen, in Chicago.

Chicago now has forty homicides, just so far this year.

Despite having the strictest gun laws, the city remains the US city with the most gun violence.

Almost all of the gun violence is gang related.

For nearly thirty years, Chicago had a total gun ban, but it was struck down by the Supreme Court, in 2010, as violating the Constitution.

Since then, the city has passed multiple ordinances, which stop just short of coming to a full ban.

The city regularly brags about how many guns it confiscates, weekly displaying the confiscations.

During 2012, Chicago confiscated nearly 7,500 guns.

Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy is asking for stricter laws and stronger punishment, for anyone who violates the gun laws.

Opponents of the laws say that the problem isn't a lack of gun laws, but too many.

They believe that if the public had freer access to guns then they could defend themselves, and gangs would be more wary.

In support of this, they point to stats from other states that have more gun access, but less gun violence.

3D Star Wars Films on Hold Indefinitely

On Monday, Lucasfilm released some information that will disappoint some Star Wars fans.

Plans had been for each of the first two Star Wars' trilogies to be released in 3D, over the next few years.

Episode I: The Phantom Menace, came out in 3D, last February and the other five movies had been to follow.

Now though, those plans are on hold.

Lucasfilms does not foresee 3D releases occurring, as all efforts have now been changed to focus on the creation and upcoming release of Episode VII, in 2015.

It is not seen as a cancellation, but a long term delay.

Yemen and Al Qaeda Battle it Out on Monday

Yemen tanks and troops moved against an Al Qaeda stronghold, on Monday.

Al Qaeda was holding hostages in the town of al-Bayda, and negotiations had collapsed.

In an apparent retaliation, a suicide bomber hit a military checkpoint, in Radda.

Eleven Yemeni soldiers were killed and another seventeen were wounded, in the blast.

A separate attack, near Radda, launched by gunmen, killed three Yemeni troops, who were on patrol.

Many southern towns were taken by Al Qaeda, in 2011.

Since then Yemen, backed by the US, has worked to remove them.

Sikh Religious Daggers Allowed in Alberta Courtrooms

In a landmark decision, Alberta is allowing daggers in court rooms.

The decision allows for Sikhs to carry their ceremonial kirpan daggers, into courtrooms.

Kirpans can't be longer than four inches, and Sikhs are required to carry them, by their faith.

Under the new policy, Sikhs will be required to let security know that they have their kirpan with them, and it must stay sheathed.

Ontario is considering a similar policy, as well.

Car Sized Boulder Falls Onto I70

Interstate 70, through Colorado, was partially closed, on Monday.

A boulder, the size of a small car, fell onto the westbound side of the freeway, early Monday morning.

It happened about mile marker 123, near the Hanging Lakes Tunnel.

Crews had to push it to the side of the freeway, and then break it up, to clear it.

They also had to fix about a foot deep hole that it put into the one lane.

One lane was closed for most of the day, and all west bound traffic was blocked from time to time, during the efforts to clear it.

Everything was expected to be taken care of for Tuesday.

No one was hurt, when the boulder fell, or afterwards.

Queen Beatrix to Abdicate

On Monday, Queen Beatrix, of the Netherlands, announced she will abdicate.

Her plans are to leave the throne, on April 30.

Queen Beatrix, who is seventy-four, has been queen since her mother abdicated in 1980.

She will be the third straight Dutch queen to abdicate, rather than die on the throne.

Prince William Alexander, forty-five, will take up the crown, making him the first king since 1890.

The Dutch monarchy is almost entirely ceremonial, but they are very beloved by the people.

Egyptians Ignore Curfews and Continue Protests and Riots

Egyptians in Ismailia, Port Said, and Suez ignored government curfews, on Monday night.

They were joined by riots in many other Egyptian cities.
  
Two people were killed and over a dozen injured in the violence, in Port Said. 

While in Cairo police vehicles were lit on fire, lighting the sky with their flames.

Police stations, in multiple cities, were burned, as rioters attack the power that attempts to control them.

The rioters are protesting President Morsi as a betrayer of the revolution, which occurred just over two years ago.

They accuse him of trying to establish a new authoritarian government, with shariah law.

4 Arrested in Brazil Nightclub Fire Case

Four people have been arrested, as the investigation of a deadly nightclub fire continues.

Two hundred and thirty-two people were killed in the city of Santa Maria, Brazil, when Kiss caught on fire, early Sunday morning.

Hundreds more were injured, and at least one hundred and thirty are still in the hospital.

Somewhere around twelve hundred people were in the club for a popular band's concert.

Police have arrested a band member for lighting a pyrotechnic device, which started the fire.

The promoter of the event and both of the night club's owners were also arrested.

It has been revealed that the club's business license and fire inspection license had both expired.

Witnesses say there were no emergency exits, leaving the entrance as the only way out.

Authorities are continuing their investigation of the club and the tragedy.

Timbuktu Being Liberated by French Troops

French troops in Mali

Malians again recognized French troops as liberators, as they moved into Timbuktu, on Monday.

Residents of the city waved home made French flags, as they welcomed the French.

The recapture of the city was aided by Foreign Legion troops parachuting in, behind the city, surrounding it.

Parts of the city are still under Islamist control, but that is not expected to last long.

No combat has occurred, over the city.

Islamists did burn the library, destroying rare writings, but otherwise the transition has been peaceful and celebratory.

On Saturday, French troops liberated the city of Gao.

Reports are that the Al Qaeda linked rebels have begun abandoning every town and city, which they had occupied.

US F16 Goes Missing Over Adriatic Sea

A US F16 is missing over the Adriatic Sea.

It happened about 20:00 CET, on Monday.

The US Air Force fighter, based out of Aviano Air Base, in Italy, was involved in a training exercise.

Air traffic control "lost contact" which could mean a crash.

Italian Coast Guard vessels and military helicopters are aiding the US Air Force, in the search.

The missing pilot was identified on Wednesday.

His body was found on Thursday.